I saw this thing being worshiped on [ADULT SWIM] this morning circa 3:30 am and just had to pass it on. Please click any image for a full size view. And yes, its real. It just seemed appropriate to call attention to a full sized actual mecha with Transformers 2 coming out today...

An 18-meter-high "life-size" Gundam statue being built to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the animated television series "Mobile Suit Gundam" has been drawing crowds to Tokyo's Odaiba, ahead of its official unveiling to the public.

Reports on the statue began to emerge on June 9 as it neared completion. Officials said there had been 200 to 300 visitors a day, but from June 10 the number started increasing, and on June 13, the start of the first weekend following the reports, several thousand turned up.

The statue of the iconic RX-78-2 Gundam, which stands in Odaiba's Shiokaze Park, weighs 35 tons. Its head can move and it can emit lights or mist from 50 points on its body. It will be officially unveiled on July 11, and displayed through Aug. 31, free of charge.

. . . . . . .

We've seen just the legs awkwardly standing there, but now we can witness the full scope of Tokyo's new 59-foot-tall Gundam statue. And it is awesome.

This RX-78 Gundam will be hanging out in Odaiba for about two months until its robot powers are needed in North Korea. So look out for that. And head over to Danny Choo's site for loads of high-res pics of this thing. [Danny Choo via Topless Robot via The Daily What]

For more on its origin and purpose visit Mainichi Daily News

Special Thanks to:

punyari for pics, and dannychoo